Expounding the frontiers of the human rights agenda of the African Union for the extra-Africa diaspora

There are no rights without responsibilities in the African context. The reverse is equally true: Responsibility is supported by rights. The African Union declaration of Africa's diaspora as the sixth (demographic) region of the African continent triggers a critical discussion of the human rights obligations of the regional body to its diaspora. The African diaspora's invited tactical intervention in the progression of the AU of necessity triggers the expansion of the human rights promotion and protection mandate of the AU to people of African heritage worldwide. Specific human rights guarantees to the diaspora facilitate its envisioned full participation in building the continent. The African diaspora can only make a substantial contribution if its rights are respected, protected and fulfilled in Africa and elsewhere. The 2012 African Diaspora Programme of Action rightly represents the evolving mandate and the nature of the commitment of the AU to embrace it. This mandate comprises the need to address the concerns of African immigrant communities, including recognition of the identity of a person of African descent on the African continent; confronting anti-black racism globally and promoting equality of all races; eradicating political and socio-economic marginalisation of diaspora communities; and advancing Africa's agenda for reparations. These strategies have their nucleus in Africa-led and Africa-advanced approaches; the momentum commences from Africa to the world, with an evident reciprocal effect.